Get in the know this Christmas
Get in the Know about which service you should access, depending on your needs, and get the right care as quickly as possible over the festive period.
If you suffer a minor injury or illness over the festive period then it is likely that can be treated at home with no need for medical attention. However, if you need some support to look after a minor ailment yourself, there are several options to choose from:
Your local pharmacy
Pharmacists are qualified health professionals and are the right people to see if you need advice or over-the-counter medicines.
They are trained in dealing with many illnesses, they can check your symptoms and recommend the best treatment, or just reassure you – for instance when a minor illness will get better on its own with a few days’ rest.
Some of the problems they can help with are: coughs, colds, sore throats, earache and toothache. They can also tell you when you need to seek further medical assistance.
You can find out your local pharmacy opening hours over the festive period here.
NHS 111 Online
If you need advice for a minor illness or injury, contact NHS 111 Online. They can help you online 24 hours a day, throughout the festive period.
If you have access to a computer or smartphone visit NHS111 Online at 111.nhs.uk.
If you do not have access to a computer or smartphone, you can call NHS 111 where a fully trained adviser will advise on the best course of action. If you do need to contact them by phone, please be aware that they make take longer than normal to answer your call over the festive period, so please do use the online option if you are able to.
If you have hearing loss, are Deaf or have difficulties communicating you can also access NHS 111 by textphone on 18001 111 and British Sign Language (BSL) users can use the NHS 111 BSL interpreter service.
NHS App
You can also access health advice over the festive period via the NHS App. It is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services online.
Visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-app to find out more. It is available to download on iOS and Android devices.
GP practices
Below we’ll confirm GP practice opening hours across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland over the festive period:
- TBC
Patients are being reminded to order their repeat prescriptions well in time for the Christmas bank holiday, so they don’t run out of vital medications.
Find out how to order a repeat perscription by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/how-to-order-a-repeat-prescription/
NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. It is the easiest way for you to get the right care for your particular medical problem, as quickly as possible. They can get you help for your specific symptoms and advise which local services to use – they can even book an appointment.
They can help you 24 hours a day, over the festive period.
If you have access to a computer or smartphone visit NHS111 Online at 111.nhs.uk.
If you do not have access to a computer or smartphone, you can call NHS 111 where a fully trained adviser will advise on the best course of action. If you do need to contact them by phone, please be aware that they make take longer than normal to answer your call over the festive period, so please do use the online option if you are able to.
If you have hearing loss, are Deaf or have difficulties communicating you can also access NHS 111 by textphone on 18001 111 and British Sign Language (BSL) users can use the NHS 111 BSL interpreter service.
Find out more about NHS 111 here.
For life-threatening illnesses or injuries, you should always dial 999.
Urgent care services
In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland there are several urgent care services for when you need to be seen quickly, but it isn’t life threatening. When you contact NHS 111, they may book an appointment for you here, if appropriate for your condition. In some cases you might not need an appointment but you are advised to use NHS 111 first to make sure it is the right place for you and to keep your waiting time to a minimum. Please also check opening times before travelling. You can find out more about these services here https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/find-the-right-service/urgent-care-services/.
Run out of medication?
GP Practices are open as normal from 28th to 30th December. On these days, please contact your GP practice if you need supplies of your regular medication. When practices are closed please use NHS 111 online, or call NHS 111 if you don’t have internet access.
Support for your mental health and wellbeing is available over the festive period in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The Mental Health Central Access Point
If you, or someone you care about, need urgent advice or support for your mental health, you can call our Mental Health Central Access Point on 0808 800 3302. This service will be open as normal over Christmas and New Year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Crisis Cafés
Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes provide local support for people who need immediate help with their mental health. You can find out more about Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes here.
Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes are open over Christmas and New Year. To find out what is open and when, please visit https://bit.ly/3FMLIxL
VitaMinds talking therapies
VitaMinds works in partnership with the NHS to provide talking therapy services and counselling in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. Find out more here.
If your child has an urgent care need over the festive period, please don’t wait before seeking help.
You can contact NHS 111 online or by phone at anytime, day or night. They will review your child’s symptoms and will refer you to the most appropriate service based on their needs.
NHS 111 online is for children aged 5 and over. If your child is aged under 5 you must Call 111.
If your child is in good health, viruses such as coughs, colds, and sore throats are all treatable yourself with advice from your local pharmacy, by calling NHS 111 or the NHS App.
Click here to find out more about children’s health.
To get in the know about local services for after the festive period, click here.
English 
Polish 
Romanian 
Arabic 
Gujarati 
Panjabi 
Urdu 